Appointed person course

Lesson 1 • Interfaces with Other Duty Holders

Maps the relationships between the Appointed Person and other key roles such as the crane supervisor and principal contractor. Ensures clear communication channels are understood.

Lesson 2 • Scope of Authority on Site

Defines the boundaries of the Appointed Person's authority over personnel and equipment. Establishes when the role can halt or modify a lifting operation.

Lesson 3 • Defining the Appointed Person Role

Clarifies who the Appointed Person is and how the role differs from other lifting personnel. Provides the foundation for all subsequent duty and authority discussions.

Lesson 1 • Stability Principles and Tipping Lines

Introduces the physics of crane stability, including tipping lines and centre of gravity. Connects theory to practical decisions about ground conditions and outrigger placement.

Lesson 2 • Load Charts and Rated Capacities

Explains how manufacturers express safe working loads across radius and configuration. Students can read and apply load charts to real lifting scenarios.

Lesson 3 • Classification of Cranes and Hoists

Surveys mobile, tower, overhead, and specialist crane types and their typical applications. Provides the vocabulary needed for equipment selection and planning.

Lesson 4 • Structural Components and Terminology

Identifies key structural parts of a crane and explains their load-bearing function. Enables accurate communication with manufacturers and operators.

Lesson 1 • Inspection and Rejection Criteria

Defines the defects that require accessories to be withdrawn from service. Reinforces the Appointed Person's duty to verify accessory condition before use.

Lesson 2 • Rigging Configurations and Hitches

Covers vertical, choker, and basket hitches and their appropriate applications. Connects configuration choice to load security and centre of gravity control.

Lesson 3 • Types of Lifting Accessories

Surveys chains, wire ropes, synthetic slings, shackles, eyebolts, and spreader beams. Provides selection criteria based on load type and environment.

Lesson 4 • Centre of Gravity and Load Balance

Teaches methods for locating a load's centre of gravity and adjusting lift points. Ensures students can plan balanced lifts and anticipate tilt.

Lesson 1 • Ground Conditions and Bearing Capacity

Covers assessment of ground type, voids, services, and load-spreading requirements. Connects ground data to crane positioning and outrigger mat selection.

Lesson 2 • People and Traffic Management

Addresses pedestrian exclusion, vehicle movement, and public safety around lifting zones. Ensures the Appointed Person can design safe access and exclusion arrangements.

Lesson 3 • Environmental and Weather Factors

Assesses wind, temperature, visibility, and ground saturation as operational constraints. Links environmental data to go/no-go decision criteria.

Lesson 4 • Overhead and Proximity Hazards

Identifies electrical lines, structures, and airspace restrictions that affect crane operation. Teaches safe approach distances and exclusion zone establishment.

Lesson 1 • Documenting and Communicating Risk

Covers the format and content of risk assessment records and their integration into the lift plan. Ensures risk information reaches all relevant personnel.

Lesson 2 • Risk Assessment Principles

Introduces the five-step risk assessment process applied to lifting. Establishes the link between hazard identification and control selection.

Lesson 3 • Dynamic Risk Assessment on Site

Trains the ability to reassess risk in real time as conditions change during an operation. Connects dynamic assessment to the authority to stop or modify the lift.

Lesson 4 • Hierarchy of Controls in Lifting

Applies the hierarchy of controls to common lifting hazards. Ensures students prioritise elimination and engineering controls over procedural measures.

Lesson 1 • Toolbox Talk and Team Briefing

Prepares students to deliver effective pre-lift briefings to the entire lifting team. Links plan content to team understanding and role clarity.

Lesson 2 • Writing the Lift Plan Document

Structures the content and format of a compliant lift plan and method statement. Ensures all required elements are present and communicated to the lifting team.

Lesson 3 • Crane Selection and Configuration

Applies load chart data and site constraints to select the correct crane and configuration. Connects equipment capability to lift geometry and ground conditions.

Lesson 4 • Classifying Lifts by Complexity

Introduces routine, complex, and critical lift classifications and their planning requirements. Ensures students apply proportionate rigour to each lift category.

Lesson 1 • Roles and Signals During the Lift

Defines the responsibilities of each team member during execution and the signals used. Ensures unambiguous communication between the Appointed Person, operator, and slinger.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Lift Checks and Trial Lift

Covers the sequence of checks immediately before lifting and the purpose of the trial lift. Confirms load weight, balance, and rigging integrity before full height is reached.

Lesson 3 • Completing and Closing the Operation

Covers post-lift duties including equipment de-rigging, site restoration, and record completion. Ensures the Appointed Person fulfils all close-out obligations.

Lesson 4 • Tandem and Assisted Lifts

Addresses the additional planning and coordination required when two cranes share a load. Covers load sharing calculations and synchronised movement protocols.

Lesson 1 • Incident Investigation and Reporting

Trains the Appointed Person to conduct initial incident investigation and fulfil statutory reporting obligations. Connects investigation findings to corrective action.

Lesson 2 • Emergency Planning for Lifting Operations

Establishes the requirement for a written emergency plan before every lifting operation. Covers the scenarios that must be anticipated and the resources required.

Lesson 3 • Responding to a Dropped Load

Covers immediate actions when a load is dropped or falls during an operation. Addresses personnel safety, site security, and initial damage assessment.

Lesson 4 • Responding to a Crane Failure

Provides step-by-step response actions for structural failure, rope failure, and overload events. Trains the Appointed Person to protect personnel and stabilise the situation.